Aaron Ranson
Nov 3, 2022
The trade deadline in the NFL was Monday November 1st at 4pm EST, and teams were unusually active this year. The parity throughout the league seems to have created a motivation to add pieces for a potential run at the postseason. Of the 32 teams in the league, only 10 were completely unactive. Did your favourite team make any moves? Below is a comprehensive list of every transaction and how they affect the playoff prospects of the teams that pulled the trigger.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills (6-1)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired running back Nyheim Hines from the Indianapolis Colts for Zack Moss and a 2023 6th round pick.
- Acquired safety Dean Marlowe from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2023 7th round pick.
Analysis:
The Bills have had a very successful start to the season, but they had two main concerns entering the trade deadline. First, the injuries in their secondary are threatening the very identity of that defence. Micah Hyde, who was often called the quarterback of the defence, suffered a season ending neck injury early in the season. Jordan Poyer has been banged up off and on throughout the year, and now has what Ian Rapoport is reporting to be a week-to-week elbow injury. With both starting safeties battling injury concerns, the addition of Dean Marlowe to the safety room, a guy who played in Buffalo just last year, is a smart move by GM Brandon Beane. The second issue in Buffalo that has been a consistent theme over the past few years is the inability to establish the run on offence. The Bills drafted James Cook in the second round of last years draft, but until he is fully ready to take on a starting role, depth was needed. Nyheim Hines is a great change of pace and pass catching back that adds a new dynamic to the Bills attack.
New York Jets (5-3)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired running back James Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a conditional 2023 6th round pick.
- Acquired a 2024 4th round pick from the Denver Broncos in exchange for defensive end Jacob Martin and a 2024 5th round pick.
Analysis:
The Jets had their superstar rookie running back go down with a season ending ACL injury just two weeks ago. Zack Wilson has struggled in the pass game recently, so having a balanced ground attack will relieve some of the pressure he puts on himself to make plays. James Robinson is a complete three-down back that has started the last two years in Jacksonville and was a great get that only cost them a 6th round pick. This team is still in a rebuild as well, so adding another 4th round draft pick in their second transaction was a good move. Trading away Jacob Martin will also allow their young defensive end Jermaine Johnson to get more reps and hopefully thrive on their defensive line.
Miami Dolphins (5-3)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired linebacker Bradley Chubb and a 2025 5th round pick from the Denver Broncos in exchange for running back Chase Edmonds, San Francisco’s 2023 1st round pick and a 2024 4th round pick.
- Acquired running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2023 5th round pick.
Analysis:
The Dolphins are all in. It’s very rare for a team with a first-year head coach to be buyers at the deadline, but the success that Miami has seen with Tua under centre this year must have motivated management into making moves while he is still on his rookie contract. Adding Bradley Chubb is an important piece in the AFC due to the number of elite quarterbacks the Dolphins will run into on a potential playoff run. The best way to stop a great QB is to pressure them to make mistakes, and Bradley Chubb does just that. The Tom Brady/Sean Payton tampering allegations stripped them of their own 2023 1st round pick, so trading their only other 1st rounder shows they are in win now mode. Also adding a known NFL calibre player in exchange for only a chance to get one is never a bad trade off. The second transaction is very much related to the first. Chase Edmonds wasn’t getting it done as Raheem Mosert’s backup, so adding Jeff Wilson Jr. to the back field is a smart decision that will allow Miami to run Mike McDaniels’ high-octane offence more efficiently. It also can’t be ignored that Mosert and Wilson Jr. were both pieces of the offence McDaniels ran in San Francisco that earned him the Dolphins head coaching job in the first place.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired wide receiver Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants in exchange for a 2023 3rd round compensatory pick and a 2023 6th round pick.
- Acquired a conditional 2023 7th round pick from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for cornerback Rashad Fenton.
Analysis:
The Chiefs are known for their high-flying offence that stretches out defences. The loss of Tyreek Hill this past offseason has hurt their ability to hurt teams with big plays. Kadarius Toney was touted as a poor man’s Tyreek Hill when he was drafted in the first round in 2021 by the New York Giants. He hasn’t been able to stick in the Giants lineup over the past couple seasons, so New York moving on from his isn’t a surprise, and Kansas City is probably the most opportune landing spot for a player of his talents. The second transaction was a roster move that sent starting cornerback Rashad Fenton to the Atlanta Falcons for just a 7th rounder. This move I suspect has more to do with rookie 1st round draft pick Trent McDuffie finally being healthy than it does about Fenton himself. I personally think they could’ve gotten more for Fenton, but freeing up a spot to allow your star rookie corner to play is never a bad move.
Denver Broncos (3-5)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired running back Chase Edmonds, San Francisco’s 2023 1st round pick and a 2024 4th round pick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for linebacker Bradley Chubb
- Acquired defensive end Jacob Martin and a 2024 5th round pick from the New York Jets in exchange for a 2024 4th round pick.
Analysis:
The season hasn’t gone well for the Denver Broncos. Rob Walton bought the team in the offseason and they immediately went out and acquired superstar quarterback Russell Wilson. Sitting at 3-5 half way through the season proves that Russ wasn’t the only missing piece, so it seems like the Broncos have decided to retool and try again next year. Chase Edmonds is a good addition to pair with Melvin Gordon is a backfield that lost Javonte Williams to a season ending ACL injury early in the season, and receiving a 1st round pick will allow the Broncos to replace Bradley Chubb with a cheaper rookie option next season to counter balance Russell Wilson’s massive contract. For now, Jacob Martin was a fine addition to replace Chubb on the roster and only cost them a pick sway of a 4th rounder for a 5th rounder.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired a 2023 6th round pick from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins and a 2024 7th round pick.
Analysis:
This move isn’t very exciting on paper, but it does add another draft pick to the depleted 2023 supply after the trade for Davante Adams. Not much else to say and I will talk about Hankins when we look at the Cowboys.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired linebacker Roquan Smith from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for linebacker AJ Klein, a 2023 2nd round pick and a 2023 5th round pick.
Analysis:
The rich get richer. Roquan Smith is an elite linebacker that is going to get paid when his rookie contract is up next year. All signs point to the fact that the Bears weren’t going to be the team to pay him, so I guess Baltimore decided they would. He joins Patrick Queen and Jason Pierre-Paul for what now looks like the best linebacker core in the NFL. The Ravens have had trouble holding onto leads this season, so adding an elite defensive player is exactly what they needed regardless of the price. However, paying Roquan may prove difficult with Lamar Jackson’s contract also looming in the future. We will see next season how management make sthe money work, but for now Smith can help them win games and that’s what matters.
Cleveland Browns (3-5)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired linebacker Deion Jones and a 2024 7th round pick from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2024 6th round pick.
Analysis:
Cleveland made a move out of pure need here. Both middle linebackers on the team’s roster are on injured reserve and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is also dealing with an injury, so a 6th round pick isn’t a heavy price to pay for a viable starting option in the middle of the defence.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired Baltimore’s 2023 2nd round pick from the Chicago Bears in exchange for wide receiver Chase Claypool.
- Acquired cornerback William Jackson III and a conditional 2025 7th round pick from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a conditional 2025 6th round pick.
Analysis:
With the emergence of rookie wide receiver George Pickens, Chase Claypool was an unneeded luxury on the Steelers offence. Seeing as team also hasn’t been very good this season, adding a 2nd round pick for a guy who they would’ve probably let walk at the end of his contract is definitely a win. Levi Wallace and Josh Jackson are both dealing with injuries, so the second move makes sense. Bringing in William Jackson III for cheap gives them an added body for their secondary in the pass happy AFC.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired running back Zack Moss and a 2023 6th round pick from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for running back Nyheim Hines.
Analysis:
I think the Bills fleeced the Colts on this trade. Hines upside as a pass catcher is so valuable in today’s NFL and Zack Moss is in his third season and hasn’t proven that he can be a regular contributor to an offence. The only thing I can think of is that Hines’ contract is much larger than Moss’ and they need to pay Jonathan Taylor in a couple years, so freeing up money for that makes some sense.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired wide receiver Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a conditional 2023 5th round pick and a conditional 2024 2nd round pick.
- Acquired a conditional 2023 6th round pick from the New York Jets in exchange for running back James Robinson.
Analysis:
The Jags are definitely not in win now mode. But they pounced on an opportunity to add a number one wide receiver at a discount here, getting Calvin Ridley for pennies on the dollar. Ridley has been suspended for the entire season after gambling on NFL games, so I’m assuming the two conditional picks Jacksonville traded for him include an availability clause. Regardless, the Jaguars have set themselves up with a much stronger pass attack for their young quarterback. James Robinson was a casualty of the elite play by Travis Etienne. With no need for two three-down backs, getting a 6th rounder for Robinson isn’t bad, although I thought he maybe could’ve fetched more.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (7-0)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired defensive end Robert Quinn from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2023 4th round pick.
Analysis:
The Eagles are undefeated, and looking at their schedule, they may stay that way. Their path to the Super Bowl may be the easiest of any team, considering how weak the NFC has looked so far this season. Adding a solid pass rusher in Robert Quinn for a 4th rounder is a win-now move, because they actually are set up beautifully to win now. Also I’m sure the thought of a former Dallas Cowboys’ star pass rusher potentially sacking Dak Prescott in the playoffs is a great added bonus for Eagles fans.
Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins and a 2024 7th round pick from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2023 6th round pick.
Analysis:
Depth, depth and more depth. The Cowboys defensive line has been wreaking havoc over teams this season. Adding another body to the rotation will enable the coaching staff to keep star pass rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence fresh for when they need a big stop late in games. Jonathan Hankins can fill that role.
New York Giants (6-2)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired a 2023 3rd round compensatory pick and a 2023 6th round pick from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
Analysis:
The Giants added two picks for a player that wasn’t playing a ton for them. Although I think it’s a bit early to give up on a player you drafted in the 1st round just two years ago, they got an alright return for him. Daboll and Schoen use the picks to get their guys in the draft and build a roster that fits what they want to do.
Washington Commanders (4-4)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired a conditional 2025 6th round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for cornerback William Jackson III and a conditional 2025 7th round pick.
Analysis:
This is a simple upgrade with a pick swap. The NFC East is a strong division this year, and the Commanders have a very small chance of making it into the playoffs. Hopefully the Snyders sell the team and they get a high enough draft pick to take a franchise quarterback and wipe the slate clean after an abysmal last decade of football.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired running back Christian McCaffery from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2023 2nd round pick, a 2023 3rd round pick, a 2023 4th round pick and a 2024 5th round pick.
- Acquired a 2023 5th round pick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for running back Jeff Wilson Jr.
Analysis:
This is just fun. Christian McCaffery in a Kyle Shanahan offence is what dreams are made of for Niners fans. In his second game with the team, he became only the third player in NFL history to throw a touchdown, catch a touchdown and run in a touchdown in the same game. There are unlimited ways this team can use a weapon like McCaffery. Trading Jeff Wilson Jr. just makes sense with Eli Mitchell coming back from injury and rookie running back Ty Davis-Price in need of some reps. Look out for this Niners team down the stretch.
Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired wide receiver Robbie Anderson from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2024 6th round pick and a 2025 7th round pick.
Analysis:
Hollywood Brown has gone down with a season ending injury and Kyler Murray needs someone else to throw to beside DeAndre Hopkins. Robbie Anderson gives them a proven deep threat that can stretch the field and open up the run game. The move makes sense and was relatively cheap to pull off.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings (6-1)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired tight end TJ Hockenson, a 2023 4th round pick and a conditional 2024 4th round pick from the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2023 2nd round pick and a 2024 3rd round pick.
Analysis:
Another team gearing up for a run. Tight end TJ Hockenson was a top 10 pick for a reason, he’s damn good. With Justin Jefferson’s ability to stretch the field and Hockenson’s knack for getting lost underneath in zone coverage, this offence just got a whole lot more dangerous. Hockenson is also an excellent run blocker, so I’m sure Dalvin Cook is also very happy with this move. A 2nd and 3rd round pick is a good price for a guy who I believe could be a top five tight end in the NFL on the right team.
Chicago Bears (3-5)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired linebacker AJ Klein, a 2023 2nd round pick and a 2023 5th round pick from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for linebacker Roquan Smith.
- Acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Baltimore’s 2023 2nd round pick
- Acquired a 2023 4th round pick from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive end Robert Quinn.
Analysis:
Roquan Smith wasn’t re-signing in Chicago. That was well known amongst Chicago media and fans alike, so you have to try to get something for him. A roster player and two draft picks was a decent haul for a middle linebacker in today’s NFL, a position that is drastically depreciating in value with the leagues shift to pass heavy offences. The Bears then used the 2nd round pick they acquired in the Smith trade to go out and get a weapon for Justin Fields. Fields has shown flashes of being the guy in Chicago over the last few weeks, and if you want to see what you have with him, you need to get him receivers to throw to. Claypool is a high upside, freak athlete that never really lived up to his true potential in a crowded Steelers wide receiver room. He will get all of those opportunities in Chicago, let’s see if he can take advantage of it.
Detroit Lions (1-6)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired a 2023 2nd round pick and a 2024 3rd round pick from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for tight end TJ Hockenson, a 2023 4th round pick and a conditional 2024 4th round pick.
Analysis:
I understand stacking up draft picks, but I think TJ Hockenson is an elite talent. The Lions are not very good and need to keep building through the draft, so getting more capital is a good move, I’m just not sure it should’ve been done at the expense of Hockenson. Especially trading him to a division rival. I guess we’ll see.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired a conditional 2023 5th round pick and a conditional 2024 2nd round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
- Acquired a 2024 6th round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for linebacker Deion Jones and a 2024 7th round pick.
- Acquired cornerback Rashad Fenton from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a conditional 2023 7th round pick.
- Acquired a 2023 7th round pick from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for safety Dean Marlowe.
Analysis:
The Falcons were surprisingly the busiest team at the deadline, making four moves before the trading floor closed. The Falcons added four draft picks for the next two drafts and a starting calibre cornerback in Rashad Fenton. They are clearly still rebuilding and as sellers this year I think they made off quite well.
Carolina Panthers (2-6)
Deadline Moves:
- Acquired a 2023 2nd round pick, a 2023 3rd round pick, a 2023 4th round pick and a 2024 5th round pick in exchange for running back Christian McCaffery.
- Acquired a 2024 6th round pick and a 2025 7th round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Robbie Anderson.
Analysis:
Trading your best player is always bittersweet, but that type of return for a running back is almost unheard of in today’s NFL. The rebuilding Panthers made two moves and acquired six draft picks over the next three years that would ideally jumpstart that process. Robbie Anderson requested a trade, so that forced their hand a bit and took away some of their leverage on the deal, but I have no problem with the moves made by Carolina here. All eyes on the future.
Image Credit: sportingnews.com
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